Female Infertility Investigations
Hormonal Tests
S.FSH/LH
These tests measure the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Leutinising hormone(LH) in your blood. FSH is made by your pituitary gland, a small gland located underneath the brain. FSH/LH plays an important role in sexual development and functioning.
In women, FSH/LH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. FSH/LH levels in women change throughout the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels happening just before an egg is released by the ovary, this is known as ovulation
Too much or too little FSH/LH can cause a variety of problems, including infertility (inability to get pregnant), menstrual difficulties in women, and early or delayed puberty in children.
FSH/LH work closely to control sexual functions. Can be done in Men ,women and children. In women, these tests are most often used to:
» Help find the cause of infertility
» Find out if there is a problem with ovarian function
» Find the reason for irregular or stopped menstrual periods
» Confirm the start of menopause, or perimenopause.
» Menopause is the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods have stopped and she can’t become pregnant anymore. It usually starts when a woman is around 50 years old.
If you are a woman, you may need this test if:
» You’ve been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying.
» Your menstrual cycle is irregular.
» Your periods have stopped. The test may be used to find out if you have gone through menopause or are in perimenopause or premature ovarian failure
Thyroid profile
Thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck and secretes the Thyroid hormone in response to the pituitary gland within the endocrine system.
The pituitary gland in your brain creates thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which triggers the thyroid to produce two other hormones, T3 and T4. When T3 and T4 production is high or low, thyroid issues can result.
These thyroid imbalances can create fertility issues. This can cause an increased rate of pregnancy loss, ovulatory disorders, irregular periods, preterm birth and lower IQs.
» Doctors look for abnormalities in hormone levels, which typically result in a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
» Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid overproduces hormones. Patients may suffer from anxiety, tremors, rapid heart rate, weight loss, more frequent bowel movements, intolerance to heat, and brittle hair. Infertility symptoms can include loss of libido and menstrual cycle irregularities.
» Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid under-produces hormones. Common symptoms include fatigue, low energy, muscle weakness, weight gain, depression, constipation, intolerance to cold, and dry skin.
» Infertility symptoms can include menstrual cycle abnormalities with cycles being heavier and less frequent, a low Basal Body Temperature and difficulty conceiving. As you can see, some of these signs can be indicative of other fertility problems, making symptoms a challenge to assess.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain.
Prolactin causes breasts to grow and develop and causes milk to be made after a baby is born. Normally, both men and women have small amounts of prolactin in their blood.
During pregnancy, prolactin levels go up. After the baby is born, there is a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. High prolactin levels trigger the body to make milk for breastfeeding.
In women who aren’t pregnant, prolactin helps regulate the menstrual cycle (periods).
FSH/LH work closely to control sexual functions. Can be done in Men ,women and children. In women, these tests are most often used to:
» Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of too much prolactin in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men.
» Hyperprolactinemia is relatively common in women. About a third of women in their childbearing years with irregular periods but normal ovaries have hyperprolactinemia.
» When this happens, a woman might have trouble getting pregnant or her breasts may start producing milk outside of pregnancy (galactorrhea). Ninety percent of women with galactorrhea also have hyperprolactinemia.
» High prolactin levels interfere with the normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This can change or stop ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It can also lead to irregular or missed periods.
» In men, high prolactin levels can cause galactorrhea, impotence (inability to have an erection during sex), reduced desire for sex, and infertility. A man with untreated hyperprolactinemia may make less sperm or no sperm at all.
AMH (ANTI MULLERIAN HORMONE)
AMH is a product of granulosa cells(in the ovary) of the preantral and small antral follicles in women.
Production of AMH regulates folliculogenesis by inhibiting recruitment of follicles from the resting pool in order to select for the dominant follicle, after which the production of AMH diminishes.
AMH can also serve as a molecular biomarker for relative size of the ovarian reserve. In humans, this is helpful because the number of cells in the follicular reserve can be used to predict timing of menopause
AMH can also be used as a marker for ovarian dysfunction, such as in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
AMH expression is greatest in the recruitment stage of folliculogenesis, in the preantral and small antral follicles. This expression diminishes as follicles develop and enter selection stage, upon which FSH expression increases.
DHEA
With infertility populations in the developed world rapidly aging, treatment of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) assumes increasing clinical importance.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to improve pregnancy chances with DOR, and is now utilized by approximately one third of all IVF centers world-wide.
DHEA supplementation appear to augment ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins in poor responders, resulting in improved oocytes yields
FASTING INSULIN
Top things to know:
⇒ The majority of people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have insulin resistance or high insulin
⇒ Testing for insulin resistance can be helpful to rule out other conditions that are commonly misdiagnosed as PCOS
∗ Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a full-body endocrine and metabolic disorder that is closely tied to insulin resistance.
FSH/LH work closely to control sexual functions. Can be done in Men ,women and children. In women, these tests are most often used to:
» Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of too much prolactin in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men.
» Hyperprolactinemia is relatively common in women. About a third of women in their childbearing years with irregular periods but normal ovaries have hyperprolactinemia.
» When this happens, a woman might have trouble getting pregnant or her breasts may start producing milk outside of pregnancy (galactorrhea). Ninety percent of women with galactorrhea also have hyperprolactinemia.
» High prolactin levels interfere with the normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This can change or stop ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It can also lead to irregular or missed periods.
» In men, high prolactin levels can cause galactorrhea, impotence (inability to have an erection during sex), reduced desire for sex, and infertility. A man with untreated hyperprolactinemia may make less sperm or no sperm at all.
What is insulin resistance?
- Under normal conditions, the hormone insulin rises briefly after eating. It stimulates the liver and muscles to take up sugar from the blood and convert it to energy. That then causes blood sugar to fall, and then insulin to fall. With normal insulin sensitivity, both sugar and insulin are normal on a fasting blood test.
- With insulin resistance, blood sugar may be normal, but insulin is high.
- Why? Because the pancreas has to make more and more insulin to try to get its message through. Too much insulin generates inflammation and causes weight gain. It can also lead to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Too much insulin is also an underlying physiological driver of PCOS
TUBAL PATENCY TESTING
SONO HSG (Hysterosalpingogram)is an imaging study that evaluates the inside of the uterus and determines whether the Fallopian tubes are patent
S.FSH/LH
“Sono-HSG” is an ultrasound exam in which saline is injected through the cervix into the uterine cavity to illustrate the inner shape of the uterus and degree of openness (patency) of the fallopian tubes.
Sonohysterography can find the underlying cause of many problems, including abnormal uterine bleeding, infertility, and repeated miscarriage. It is able to detect the following:
- Abnormal growths inside the uterus, such as fibroids or polyps, and information about their size and depth.
- Scar tissue inside the uterus.
- Abnormal uterine shape.
- Problems with the lining of the uterus.
- Whether the fallopian tubes are open or blocked.
This procedure is performed between cycle day 5-12, cycle day 1 is the first day of full flow of your menstrual cycle. There is no special preparation needed for the exam, although you may want to empty your bladder prior to the test.
HYCOSY
Contrast Hysterosalpingography is a safe and reliable outpatient ultrasound procedure.
Ovarian Assessment
- 3D ultrasound is more accurate in determining ovarian volume and the AFC(Antral follicle count)
- This 3D technique employs a rotational method which involves the delineation of the ovarian volume throughout several planes in a consecutive series of rotations (automatic calculation)
- All follicles < 10mm are measured using 2D ultrasound, or a 3D technique
- A normal ovarian volume of both the ovaries is calculated(5.2-12ml)
- The AFC count is a major predictor of the ovarian reserve, its done on day 3 of the cycle by a Trans vaginal ultrasound scan.
- AFC is the Number of follicles at the early follicular phase
- Size of the follicles varies from 2-10 mm
- An AFC of bout 3-8 is considered Normal
Diagnostic Laparoscopy
S.FSH/LH
These tests measure the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Leutinising hormone(LH) in your blood. FSH is made by your pituitary gland, a small gland located underneath the brain. FSH/LH plays an important role in sexual development and functioning.
In women, FSH/LH helps control the menstrual cycle and stimulates the growth of eggs in the ovaries. FSH/LH levels in women change throughout the menstrual cycle, with the highest levels happening just before an egg is released by the ovary, this is known as ovulation
Too much or too little FSH/LH can cause a variety of problems, including infertility (inability to get pregnant), menstrual difficulties in women, and early or delayed puberty in children.
What is it used for?
FSH/LH work closely to control sexual functions. Can be done in Men ,women and children. In women, these tests are most often used to:
- Help find the cause of infertility
- Find out if there is a problem with ovarian function
- Find the reason for irregular or stopped menstrual periods
- Confirm the start of menopause, or perimenopause.
- Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual periods have stopped and she can't become pregnant anymore. It usually starts when a woman is around 50 years old.
Why do I need an FSH/LH levels test?
If you are a woman, you may need this test if:
- You've been unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying.
- Your menstrual cycle is irregular.
- Your periods have stopped. The test may be used to find out if you have gone through menopause or are in perimenopause or premature ovarian failure
Thyroid profile
Thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck and secretes the Thyroid hormone in response to the pituitary gland within the endocrine system.
The pituitary gland in your brain creates thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which triggers the thyroid to produce two other hormones, T3 and T4. When T3 and T4 production is high or low, thyroid issues can result.
These thyroid imbalances can create fertility issues. This can cause an increased rate of pregnancy loss, ovulatory disorders, irregular periods, preterm birth and lower IQs.
What thyroid disorders are most commonly associated with fertility?
Doctors look for abnormalities in hormone levels, which typically result in a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid overproduces hormones. Patients may suffer from anxiety, tremors, rapid heart rate, weight loss, more frequent bowel movements, intolerance to heat, and brittle hair. Infertility symptoms can include loss of libido and menstrual cycle irregularities.
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid under-produces hormones. Common symptoms include fatigue, low energy, muscle weakness, weight gain, depression, constipation, intolerance to cold, and dry skin.
Infertility symptoms can include menstrual cycle abnormalities with cycles being heavier and less frequent, a low Basal Body Temperature and difficulty conceiving. As you can see, some of these signs can be indicative of other fertility problems, making symptoms a challenge to assess.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone produced by your pituitary gland which sits at the bottom of the brain.
Prolactin causes breasts to grow and develop and causes milk to be made after a baby is born. Normally, both men and women have small amounts of prolactin in their blood.
During pregnancy, prolactin levels go up. After the baby is born, there is a sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone. High prolactin levels trigger the body to make milk for breastfeeding.
In women who aren’t pregnant, prolactin helps regulate the menstrual cycle (periods).
What is hyperprolactinemia?
FSH/LH work closely to control sexual functions. Can be done in Men ,women and children. In women, these tests are most often used to:
- Hyperprolactinemia is a condition of too much prolactin in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men.
- Hyperprolactinemia is relatively common in women. About a third of women in their childbearing years with irregular periods but normal ovaries have hyperprolactinemia.
- When this happens, a woman might have trouble getting pregnant or her breasts may start producing milk outside of pregnancy (galactorrhea). Ninety percent of women with galactorrhea also have hyperprolactinemia.
- High prolactin levels interfere with the normal production of other hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone. This can change or stop ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). It can also lead to irregular or missed periods.
- In men, high prolactin levels can cause galactorrhea, impotence (inability to have an erection during sex), reduced desire for sex, and infertility. A man with untreated hyperprolactinemia may make less sperm or no sperm at all.
AMH (ANTI MULLERIAN HORMONE)
AMH is a product of granulosa cells(in the ovary) of the preantral and small antral follicles in women.
Production of AMH regulates folliculogenesis by inhibiting recruitment of follicles from the resting pool in order to select for the dominant follicle, after which the production of AMH diminishes.
AMH can also serve as a molecular biomarker for relative size of the ovarian reserve. In humans, this is helpful because the number of cells in the follicular reserve can be used to predict timing of menopause
AMH can also be used as a marker for ovarian dysfunction, such as in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
AMH expression is greatest in the recruitment stage of folliculogenesis, in the preantral and small antral follicles. This expression diminishes as follicles develop and enter selection stage, upon which FSH expression increases.
DHEA
With infertility populations in the developed world rapidly aging, treatment of diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) assumes increasing clinical importance.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to improve pregnancy chances with DOR, and is now utilized by approximately one third of all IVF centers world-wide.
DHEA supplementation appear to augment ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins in poor responders, resulting in improved oocytes yields
FASTING INSULIN
Top things to know:
⇒ The majority of people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have insulin resistance or high insulin
⇒ Testing for insulin resistance can be helpful to rule out other conditions that are commonly misdiagnosed as PCOS
∗ Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a full-body endocrine and metabolic disorder that is closely tied to insulin resistance.
What is insulin resistance?
- Under normal conditions, the hormone insulin rises briefly after eating. It stimulates the liver and muscles to take up sugar from the blood and convert it to energy. That then causes blood sugar to fall, and then insulin to fall. With normal insulin sensitivity, both sugar and insulin are normal on a fasting blood test.
- With insulin resistance, blood sugar may be normal, but insulin is high.
- Why? Because the pancreas has to make more and more insulin to try to get its message through. Too much insulin generates inflammation and causes weight gain. It can also lead to Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Too much insulin is also an underlying physiological driver of PCOS
Committed to Your Health and Happiness
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since.
Book Appointment
Lorem Ipsum is and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since.
Home MD
Lorem Ipsum is and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since.
Tele-Health
Lorem Ipsum is and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since.
Get Consultation
Lorem Ipsum is and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since.
